DEMRE, Turkey — In the fourth century A.D., a bishop named Nicholas transformed the city of Myra, on the Mediterranean coast of what is now Turkey, into a Christian capital.

After some 800 years as an important pilgrimage site in the Byzantine Empire it vanished — buried under 18 feet of mud from the rampaging Myros River. All that remained was the Church of St. Nicholas, parts of a Roman amphitheater and tombs cut into the rocky hills.

But now, 700 years later, Myra is reappearing.

Logged

Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

That's cool. I am glad to see they apparently care about preserving the church ruins. I heard a story by a stranger, who I don't put alot of faith in, claiming he had been on an archeological dig in Saudi Arabia and they found a church and later the government bulldozed it. But still it seems like something their government might do, as the Saudi government doesn't allow churches, with a few "informal" exceptions.

That's cool. I am glad to see they apparently care about preserving the church ruins. I heard a story by a stranger, who I don't put alot of faith in, claiming he had been on an archeological dig in Saudi Arabia and they found a church and later the government bulldozed it. But still it seems like something their government might do, as the Saudi government doesn't allow churches, with a few "informal" exceptions.

Tourism is part of Turkeys economy, no tourist has any reason to be in the Asian side other than these sites so its in their economic interest to preserve them.

That's cool. I am glad to see they apparently care about preserving the church ruins. I heard a story by a stranger, who I don't put alot of faith in, claiming he had been on an archeological dig in Saudi Arabia and they found a church and later the government bulldozed it. But still it seems like something their government might do, as the Saudi government doesn't allow churches, with a few "informal" exceptions.

I doubt that it would get bulldozed. They are of extreme historical significance to the Turkish people, and the history of the land which is now Turkey. The few Turks I've talked to tell me that Turkey is a largely secular country, with few religious Muslims. I don't know if the discovery of an "infidel" house of prayer is that big of a threat to Turkey.